Camillus Demo spring problem?

[btb01]

I have a 1967 Camillus Demo/"US" knife that belonged to my grandpa. (He served during the Korean War, so I know this couldn't have been issued to him during that time. Not sure when he picked it up; obviously some time after 1967.) Anyways, the main blade and the punch are both loose when closed. The blade will move freely from the closed position to the position shown in the picture below, but both blade and punch are still tight with no movement when open. I'm assuming this means that the spring is "broken," however I can't see any visible damage anywhere on the spring (no cracks or anything). Is this a common issue on these knives? Anyone else experienced this? I'm sure I know the answer to this one before I ask it, but is there any "fixing" this, or is this just an "it is what it is" situation?

 

[Henry Beige]

The main blade on my 1982 is reasonably tight when closed, but not nearly as tight as the screwdriver and can opener, which are on the other spring. In the open position it is loose enough to let the blade fall out of position about five or ten degrees. The spring sits flush with the blade closed, but is recessed a bit with the blade open. At the other end of the same spring, the awl is tight both open and closed, and the spring sits flush in both positions

Although there is likely some wear on the spring, I would guess the problem lies not so much there as with the profile of the tang. Your problem seems to be just the opposite of mine, so perhaps wear on the other side of the tang, as well as on the punch?

Replacing the spring might help, or I suppose a guy could build up the worn surface of the tang with weld, and reprofile it. Who would you call for a replacement blade?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Those knives were/are known for quality issues with the springs (often broke). I've assumed QC wasn't the greatest, as they have been cranked out by the millions (by different mfrs doing contract work for the military) and often treated almost as 'disposable'. I've generally assumed the heat treat and or cutting/drilling of the springs for pin hole locations might've been suspect on them.

The spring might be weakened and distorted (bent), if not yet actually broken. I'd suspect this especially if the main blade and punch are at opposite ends of the same spring, with both being loose.


David